Freshmax Group has announced the first commercial crop of is trademarked cherry variety 'Lani', with harvest already underway in Central Otago, New Zealand.
The early variety, larger-sized sweet cherry with deep red skin is exclusive to Freshmax and was developed by its intellectual property (IP) and innovation business Innovar.
New Zealand growers Suncrest Orchards and Clyde Orchards have been trialling and developing the cherry for the past five years, with the first season’s volume expected to be small.
Targeting export markets in Asia, Freshmax Group said in a company statement that it expects the Lani cherry to be a key part of its cherry exports out of New Zealand in the coming decade.
Lani adds to Freshmax’s Starletta cherry IP variety launched in 2013.
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